P.J. Fleck talks important role Minnesota's wide receivers have played, game-changing ability from Antoine Winfield

[BleedGopher]

per Dustin:

Minnesota’s receivers have caught plenty of attention this season. Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson are both over 900 receiving yards this year with two games left, and Chris Autman-Bell has made several big catches throughout the season. Those three guys have been the difference between the Gophers winning and losing a lot of games this year.

P.J. Fleck agrees that, without the talent at the receiver position this season, Minnesota just isn’t the same football team.

“It’s huge for us… we wouldn’t be in a position we are in if it wasn’t for their big time catches,” Fleck said during his weekly presser on Tuesday. “They’ve been so consistent all year, they’ve been our big time playmakers.”

Bateman and Johnson sit at No. 1 and No. 2 in the B1G in receiving yards this year.

Fleck’s praise wasn’t limited to one position group. The Minnesota head coach also had plenty of positive remarks for Antoine Winfield Jr., who has been outstanding in the secondary all season long. He has totaled a B1G-best seven interceptions this year, including one pick-six.

“I think he’s one of the best game-changers in college football,” Fleck said. “I’m just glad he’s on our team and we don’t have to play against him.”

Impact players: P.J. Fleck talks important role Minnesota's wide receivers have played, game-changing ability from Antoine Winfield

The Gophers have a ton of talent at several positions.

saturdaytradition.com

Go Gophers!!

 

[Jeshurun]

We have the top two receivers in the Big Ten. That’s nuts.

 

[Taji34]

I hope Antoine stays another year. I think it's unlikely that he does, but I hope so.

 

[matt]

We have the top two receivers in the Big Ten. That’s nuts.

Not bad for a backup QB!

 

[MNVCGUY]

We have the top two receivers in the Big Ten. That’s nuts.

Yeah, when you think of the state of our passing game during the Kill years and in Fleck's first year, if you had said at that point that in 2019 we would have one of the top QBs in the Nation and most likely 2 - 1000 yard WR everyone would have said you were nuts.

 

[hungan1]

WR U!

I wonder what was discussed at dinner at the Fleck's between Antoine Jr and his coach.

PJ convinced AWjr not to transfer after the ouster of Claeys. Will he be able to do it a second time?

The only reason to stay is to play with his younger brother and if his draft stock will improve more.